Fundamentals of Physical Geography Class XI Question Bank

GEOGRAPHY

Class XI 

Chapter1

Geography as a discipline

1. What is geography? Why should we study geography? Give two reasons Pg.-2 1+2=3           
   
   Ans.We live on the surface of the earth.Our lives are affected by our surroundings in many ways. We depend on the resources to sustain ourselves in the surrounding areas.
   
   
   

2. Who coined the term geography? Give its two root words. 1+1+1=3                                            Ans. Eratosthenes The term geography was first coined by Eratosthenese, a Greek scholar (276-194 BC.). The word has been derived from two roots from Greek language geo (earth) and graphos (description

3. “Geography as a discipline is concerned with three sets of questions”. Explain. Pg.-3             1+1+1=3                                                                                                                                          Ans Geography as a discipline is concerned with three sets of questions: (i) Some questions are related to the identification of the patterns of naturaland cultural features as found over the surface of the earth. These are the questions about what? (ii) Some questions are related to the distribution of the natural and human/cultural features over the surface of the earth. These are the questions about where?The third question is related to the explanation or the causal relationships between features and the processes and phenomena. This aspect of geographyis related to the question, why?
4. Explain the difference between history and geography? Why is the world called a global village? Pg. -4 1+2=3                                                                                                                                   Ans. Geography is a discipline of synthesis. It attempts spatial synthesis, and history attempts temporal synthesis. Its approach is holistic in nature. It recognises the fact that the world is a system of interdependencies. the present world is being perceived as a global village. The distances have been reduced by better means of transportation increasing accessibility. The audio-visual media and information technology have enriched the data base.
5. Explain the two approaches to studying geography? Name one person associated with each approach? Pg.- 7   2+1=3                                                                                                                            Ans The major approaches to study geography have been (i) Systematic and (ii) Regional. The systematic geography approach is the same as that of general geography. This approach was introduced by Alexander Von Humboldt, a German geographer (1769-1859) while regional geography approach was developed by another German geographer and a contemporary of Humboldt, Karl Ritter (1779-1859). In systematic approach, a phenomenon is studied world over as a whole,In the regional approach, the world is divided into regions at different hierarchical levels and then all the geographical phenomena in a particular region are studied
6. What do you understand about dualism in geography?                                                                   Ans Dualism is one of the main characteristics of geography which got introduced from the very beginning. This dualism depended on the aspect emphasised in the study. Earlier scholars laid emphasis on physical geography. But human beings are an integral part of the earth’s surface. They are part and parcel of nature. They also have contributed through their cultural development. Thus developed human geography with emphasis on human activitie

Chapter-2

Origin and Evolution of earth

1. Who gave the nebular Hypothesis? Pg.-13 Emmanuel kant

2. What is the other name of the Big bang theory? Pg.-13 Expanding Universe Hypothesis 

3. What are the three stages of the development of the universe according to the Big bang theory? Pg.-15 1+1+1=3 

4. What are the three stages of the development of planets? Pg.-15 1+1+1=3                                                                

5. Explain the evolution of the earth?

6. What are the three stages of Evolution of the present atmosphere? 1+1+1=3 
   

7. Define the following

• Galaxy  

• Nebula  

• Light year  

• Planetesimals 

• Degassing 

• Solar winds

• Differentiation

Chapter3

Interior of the Earth

1. Define the following: - 

1. Focus. 

2. Tsunami  

3. Asthenosphere  

4. Magma  

5. Epicenter. 

2. What are the three indirect sources about the interior of the earth? Explain. 1+1+1=3  

3. What is an earthquake? 1+1+1=3  

4. Write a short note on the shadow zone. 3 x 1 = 3

5. Distinguish between body waves and surface waves. 1+1+1=3  

6. Differentiate between Primary waves and secondary waves? 1+1+1=3  

7. Explain the five types of Volcanoes. 5x1=5  

8. Explain the five types of earthquakes. 5x1=5  

9. Explain the structure of the earth?  5x1=5  

10. Explain the five intrusive forms of volcanic landforms. 5x1=5 

Chapter-4
DISTRIBUTION OF OCEANS AND CONTINENTS

1. Define the following: Pg 271+1=2 

1. Pangaea

2. Hotspots 

3. Panthalassa

2. Who proposed the theory of continental drift? Explain four pieces of evidence is that support this theory.Pg 27   1+4=5

3. What were the two forces suggested by Wegener that forced the drifting of the continents? Pg27 1x2=2

4. Explain the concept of seafloor spreading. 1x2=2

5. Give arguments in favor of seafloor spreading. 

6. What is the rim of fire? Why is it called so? Give reasons for the same. 

7. Explain the three major ocean floor configurations. 

8. Who gave the theory of plate tectonics? 

9. What are the two main sources of heat within the earth?1/2 +1/2=1 

10. Name the plate which has maximum/minimum rate of plate movement. 

12. What are the 2 types of plates? Give two examples of each.    2+1=3 

Chapter-5

Geomorphic processes 

1. Distinguish between Exogenic and Endogenic forces. Pg 45

2. What is gradation? Explain its two components? pg 45

3. What are the four main factors for endogenic processes? pg 46

4. What do you understand about diastrophism? explain its four types?pg46

5. What are geomorphic agents explain?pg46

6. Explain the Importance of gravity and gradient in framing relief features?pg46

7. What is the main source of energy for an Exogenic forces?pg47

8. What is denudation? what are the processes concerned under denudation?pg47

9. What are the three major groups of weathering?explain.pg48

10. What do you understand by weathering?pg48

11. What is soil? Explain the process of soil formation? Pg45

12. What are the five factors that influence soil formation?

           

Chapter-7

Composition and Structure of Atmosphere

1. Describe the composition of the atmosphere? Explain the role carbon dioxide and ozone in atmosphere.1+1+1=3 

2. Explain in brief the importance of the following: -  

1. Troposphere  

2. Stratosphere  

3. Ionosphere  

3. Discuss the composition of the atmosphere and the importance of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. 5 x 1 = 5  

4. What are the elements of weather and climate? 1/2X6=3  

5. Discuss the composition of atmosphere and the importance of oxygen, nitrogen, and Carbon dioxide.5 x 1 = 5

6. Explain Structure of atmosphere

Chapter8

Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature

1. DEFINE-

1. Isolation  

2. Aphelion  

3. Perihelion

4.   Isolation

5. Terrestrial radiation  

2. The atmosphere is mainly heated by the………………….

3. What are the four factors that affect isolation? 1x4=4

4. Name the three ways in which earth gets heated? Explain each in detail. 1+3=4  

5. Why does the sky appear red or blue? Why do subtropical deserts have maximum heat? What is the major cause for the heating of the earth?                                            1+1+1=3  

6. What are the five factors that influence the temperature of air?                                                                 5x1=5

7. Distinguish between isolation and terrestrial radiation. 1+1+1=3  

8. What are the four factors that affect insulation? 1x4=4             

9. What is precipitation? Explain four forms of precipitation. 1+4=5 

10. Discuss the processes through which the earth-atmosphere system maintains heat balance.

11. Explain the albedo of the earth.

12. What is the main cause of the heating of the atmosphere? Why?

13. Name a gas that traps heat? Co2

14. Explain heat budget.

15. What is the heat balance or heat budget of the earth?

16. What are isotherms?

17. Explain air drainage?

18. What do you understand about the normal lapse rate?

19. What do you understand by inversion of temperature? Pg87

    
    

Chapter-10

Water in the atmosphere

1. Define:-

• Absolute humidity, 

• Relative humidity, 

• Saturated air, 

• Dew point,

• Evaporation, 

• Latent heat of temp, 

• Condensation, 

• Sublimation, 

• Humidity, 

• Hygroscopic nuclei (pg 98)

2. What are the factors that affect condensation? (pg 99)

3. What are the 4 types of condensation? (pg 99)

4. What are the 4 types of clouds? (pg99)

5. Name the three types of precipitation. Explain each in detail.

6. What are forms of condensation? Describe the process of dew and frost formation

7. Explain relative humidity? How is it different from absolute humidity? 1+2=3

8. Explain the world distribution of rainfall?

9. What are the three type’s rainfalls? Explain in detail.

Chapter- 12 

(WATER)

Page no 99

1. Why is the earth called a blue planet?

2. Explain the hydrological cycle.

3. Name four major divisions of the ocean floor. explain each division in detail 

4. Name the four major oceans 

5. ---------- percentage of land is covered with water 

6. Why do continental shelves have large deposits of petroleum 

7. Explain the five major divisions of the seafloor. give examples 

8. Explain the five minor divisions of the seafloor. give examples
   

9. What are the four factors that affect the temperature of water explain each in detail 

10. Explain the temperature structure of ocean waters over the middle and lower latitudes 

11. Explain the term thermocline 

12. What are the factors that affect ocean salinity 

13. What is salinity 

14. What is the average temperature of the surface water

Chapter-13

Movement of ocean Water

Define the following 

• wave crest 
• wave height
• wave amplitude
• wave period
• wave length
• wave speed 
• wave frequency

1. What are tides? What are the two force responses for tides? Explain (pg 121) 

2. What are waves? Name and explain the two forces that influence wave motion? (pg 120)

3. What is tidal current? (pg 121)

4. Distinguish between neap tide and spring tide? (pg 122)

5. Where is the highest tide recorded? (Pg 122)

6. What are different types of tides based on frequency? (pg 122)

7. Explain points regarding the importance of tide? (pg 122)

8. What are the 3 uses of tides? (pg 123)

9. What are the two types of features that influence ocean current? (pg 123)

10. Explain the 4 primary sources that influence current? (pg 123)

11. What is the difference between drift and current? (pg 123)

12. What are the two types of ocean current on the basis of depth, temperature? (pg 123)

13. What are the effects of ocean currents? (pg 124)

14.